CREATORS IN CONVERSATION
Words for Pictures: Writing for Comics
Sat 16 September 2023, 3:30-4:30pm
Studio 01, Adelaide City Library, Level 3 Rundle Place, 77-91 Rundle Mall, Adelaide, South Australia
Cost: FREE (no booking required, but RSVPing on Facebookย will help us know how many people to expect)
Ryan K. Lindsay (ACT), Jessica Walton (VIC) and Scott Wilson (WA), with Dr Mike 2000 (SA) (chair)
Is a picture really worth a thousand words? Find out from these talented authors whoโve penned comics and graphic novels in a wide range of genres! From exploring the intricate relationship between words and images to discussing collaborating with artists, this panel will look into the complexities of writing for a visual medium. Join us to hear about the secrets to creating memorable characters, building compelling worlds, and developing captivating plotlines. Whether you’re a writer, an artist, or simply a reader of comics, you won’t want to miss this peek into the creative process.
Words for Pictures: Writing for Comics is presented by Adelaide Comics Centre!
All guests will be available to sign books after the panel, and some panellists will have work for sale.
This session will feature sign interpretation in Auslan, provided by Deaf Connect.
BIOGRAPHIES
Ryan K. Lindsay
Ryan K. Lindsay (he/him) is an Australian writer who has worked with some of the biggest publishers in the comics business, including Dark Horse, Vertigo, Black Mask, IDW and ComixTribe. Negative Space, his 2016 series with artist Owen Gieni through Dark Horse Comics, won awards from Aurealis and the Comic Arts Awards of Australia. His more recent works include A Fistful of Pain, an original one-shot graphic novella about vengeance and dragons with artist Louie Joyce, and Speed Republic, an independent comic miniseries set within an apocalyptic landscape of corporate monopolies, with artist Emmanuele Parascandolo.
In addition to writing across a variety of comics forms, from miniseries to oneshots and graphic novels, Ryan has edited analytical and non-fiction texts, including a book of essays, The Devil is in the Details: Examining Matt Murdock and Daredevil, through Sequart. He has also written his own non-fiction essays published in Criminal, Godzilla, Sheltered, Strange Nation, Creeper and Crime Factory. When not writing or running successful graphic novel Kickstarters, Ryan runs his own comic imprint, Four Colour Ray Gun. Through this imprint he has self-published such works as the indie comic miniseries Deer Editor with artist Sami Kivelรค and the one-shot Skyscraper with artist Mitchell Collins.
Jessica Walton
Jessica Walton (they/them) is a queer, disabled writer and speaker from Pakenham, Victoria. Their debut picture book, Introducing Teddy: A Story About Being Yourself, began as a Kickstarter project but was quickly picked up by Bloomsbury. It has since gone on to be published in thirteen countries and translated into nine languages. Following this success, Jessica wrote Stars In Their Eyes, which in 2021 was turned into a YA graphic novel with the comics-maker Aลka. The graphic novel was shortlisted for ALIA Graphic Novel of the Year and the Comic Arts Awards of Australia, and was a Notable Book for the Childrenโs Book Council of Australia’s Book of the Year. Stars In Their Eyes was bought by Scholastic US after first being published by Fremantle Press.
Jessica has worked across multiple mediums as a creative, having co-written a 2019 episode of the ABC’s Get Krack!n that focused on disability and published short stories for teens and children in the Australian anthologies Funny Bones and Meet Me at the Intersection. They have also published poetry in the anthologies Growing Up Disabled in Australia, The (Other) F Word: A Celebration of the Fat and Fierce, Westerlyโs DisAbility issue and The Victorian Writer.
As a cancer survivor, amputee, queer daughter of a trans parent, and teacher, Jessica often has speaking engagements at writerโs festivals, schools, libraries and even aged care facilities, where they discuss writing, LGBTI issues, cancer and disability.
Scott Wilson
Scott Wilson (he/him) is a Gooniyandi man from Muladja community, and a Gajerrong man from Kununurra, who grew up on Yawuru country in Western Australia. Working with mentors from Marvel and DC, he has co-created and written Dark Heart, a new Aboriginal superhero series, with the first two issues released so far. This series is published through Gestalt Comics under Scott’s original Indigiverse imprint, and forms the first glimpse of a whole new Aboriginal superhero comic universe. Dark Heart reveals a 65,000 year old story of the Elder Protectors that stand between Us and Them. Both Dark Heart and Scott have appeared at major comic conventions across Australia to enthusiastic receptions.
After graduating with his bachelorโs degree majoring in Anthropology and Indigenous History and Heritage, Scott returned home to work within community. He is currently the co-founder, managing director and director of four companies developing content in film, television, publications, and environmentalism. His work includes includes Ice Cream Productions, a company that aims to integrate storytelling and provide a transfer of knowledge and reinstate control over First Nations narratives through the publishing and support of First Nations writers and illustrators.
Dr Mike 2000 (chair)
Dr Mike 2000 or Mike Cooper (he/him) is an Adelaide-based comic creator, writer, artist, and game developer. His flagship comic, the psychedelic superhero maxi-series Universe Gun, is set in a 37th century that has seen better days. This 12-issue superhero sci-fi comic series tells the story of a group of unlikely heroes attempting to overthrow a prohibitionist regime that makes superhuman gifts illegal. Mikeโs other works include Entwined: A Recurrent Romance (a one-shot collaboration with artist DC Fisher), his 24 Hour Comic series, and the upcoming Universe Gun RPG game that explores the world of the comic.
Presented by Adelaide Comics Centre
We are very grateful for Adelaide Comics Centre’s financial support for this panel! Adelaide Comics Centre is the home of one of the largest ranges of comics and collectables in Australia. You can show your appreciation by visiting them at:
Shop 6G Gayโs Arcade, Adelaide Arcade
111-117 Rundle Mall
Adelaide, South Australia
or by following them on Instagram or Facebook!
